How to Naturally Increase Fertility

March 23, 2012 by 10 Comments
Many couples today are spending thousands of dollars trying to increase their fertility. Choosing an egg donation service or in vitro fertilization are great ways to conceive, but not every couple can afford to do so and insurance isn’t always willing to cover the costs. However, there are actually many free, natural ways that you can use to help increase your chances of conceiving. Many people report increased fertility after making just a few small changes in their lives.

 

Eat Healthy
Cutting back on fast food and eating right will help your hormones balance in a way that is conducive to fertility. Eating foods rich with vitamin C and antioxidants will also help to increase your chances of conception by reducing the amount of stress that is placed on your reproductive organs. Additionally, you should try to eat organic fruits and vegetables as much as possible. Some of the pesticides used to treat conventional fruits and vegetables contain hormone-disrupting chemicals that limit your fertility.

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Filed Under: family, health

Strasburg Rail Road’s Easter Bunny Train

March 21, 2012 by 4 Comments
We will soon be on our way to the Easter Bunny Train, and we can’t wait! We hope to see some of you there- what better way to celebrate Easter weekend? Hop on over, and spend the day with the Easter bunny at the Strasburg Railroad!

Hop into the season with an Easter tradition at Strasburg Rail Road. Travel with Peter Cottontail as an authentic steam train takes you on a 45-minute journey from the East Strasburg Station to Paradise, PA and back. Also enjoy a ride on our miniature steam train, or steer the Cranky Cars around a track.
Filed Under: family, holidays, kids, travel

Should You Give Your Kids Rewards for Good Grades?

March 20, 2012 by 6 Comments
It’s probably not thought about in this way as much as it should be, but think about it. Those of us who have jobs, we were able to get them because we have an education, correct? Even if we didn’t get a college degree, we still have a high school diploma (or GED) as a sign of proof that we learned the skills needed for us to know how to read and write (among other things) at a fairly progressive level. And so, while as adults we have jobs, for children that are in school, learning is their job. Education is what they are investing in so that someday they can have a prosperous and fulfilling career.

When you look at it that way, doesn’t it make you want to take a very thorough approach when it comes to how you deal with your children and their education? After all, if we can spend eight hours a day to earn a paycheck, shouldn’t there be something done for the child that spends eight hours at school?


This is the reason why the question, “Should you give your kids rewards for good grades?” is one that doesn’t really have a clear cut “yes” or “no” answer. But if you are pondering what will work for you, rather than using words like “reward”, consider swapping them out for ones like “encourage”, “support” and “incentives” because those three things are what every child needs to develop and succeed, both in and outside of the classroom.

It is certainly understandable why many parents and educators are not very obliging when it comes to the idea of giving children money or gifts in return for a good report card. To some, it’s seen as a way of bribing a child to learn, which could potentially send the wrong message about the importance of receiving an education; without [Read more…]
Filed Under: education, family, kids

The Muppets Coming soon on DVD

March 19, 2012 by 18 Comments

Ok, first of all- I am going to take for granted in this review that you know who the Muppets are. If you don’t, please look into it, you really are missing a whole lot of awesome. Even better, find everything with Jim Henson‘s name on it, start with early stuff and go forward through time.

Everyone with me now? OK. This movie does them justice. The Muppets movie reminds me of an episode of The Muppet Show. One where the show is more about the backstage, not the front. With a whole lot of guest stars, a whole lot of music, and a whole lot of Muppets and funny business 🙂 The songs will stick in your head, and you too will wonder whether you are man or Muppet, especially for some reason in the shower….. don’t ask. Just watch.

In terms of story, it follows a new Muppet who is looking to meet the cast of “The Muppet Show”, there are some zany issues and eventually the cast comes together again. This is a great movie for kids, the main issues we had with it was a lack of interest by Little Man, know why? There is no Muppets Show on TV right now….This we will discuss later on. But after listening to the sound track and pulling out some of Mommy’s old stuffed [Read more…]

Filed Under: family, kids, movie

How WAHMs Can Relieve Stress

March 19, 2012 by 4 Comments
First things first: Although traditionally, a WAHM stands for a Work At Home Mom, if you are a mother, whether you are employed by a business or not, technically, this title refers to you. Indeed, all mothers are working moms within the home. Therefore, the information that is provided within this article is designed to help you out whether they have a paying job or not.
But, if you do find yourself to be a mom that has a home-based business, is a contracted worker or even has a day care within the house, hopefully, these tips will relieve a little bit of the stress that you’re sure to encounter while juggling work and home….while at home.
Know what kind of stress you’re under. In life, it’s hard to solve any problem without really knowing what the problem is and the source of it. So, when someone says, “I’m stressed”, that could actually mean that they are going through a variety of different things. They may be feeling anxious. They may find themselves feeling irritated and hyper-sensitive. They may be experiencing bouts of fatigue or unexpected losses of appetite. Or, they may have an extreme lack of concentration that prevents them from completing their tasks. In trying to figure out how to relieve your stress, take a moment to think about how the stress is personally affecting you so that you can make effective choices on how to treat it. Also take special note that if you notice physical changes over a long period of time, it’s advisable to consult your physical.

Take a break. A couple of them, actually. One of the greatest misconceptions about a person that works from home is that they don’t work as hard as people that are employed in an office. This couldn’t be further from the truth! For instance, in a traditional workplace setting, people are given lunch breaks and usually two 15-minute breaks as well. When you’re working from home, you may be in your house office for 10 hours before noticing that you haven’t had a meal. And yes, not taking out a bit of time to recharge and regroup [Read more…]
Filed Under: family

Help Your Kids Develop Good Study Habits

March 17, 2012 by 11 Comments

In case you didn’t notice, parenthood does not come with a manual. And while there are certainly plenty
of books out there that can help you to understand stages of development and give you pointers for
behavior modification, there are so many conflicting viewpoints on raising kids that you might have a
hard time sorting through all the noise to center in on the theories and techniques that will make you
the best parent possible. Should you let your child cry himself to sleep or offer comfort? Are spankings
a strategic display of authority or are they child abuse? At what age should you talk to your kids about
where babies come from? These are all questions that every parent wrestles with and for the most
part, nobody can give you the answers; you just have to figure it out on your own. But when it comes
to academic pursuits the lines are a lot clearer. Although every child develops at his own pace, you can
definitely start teaching yours good study habits from a young age with just a few simple tools at your
disposal.

The first thing you should do is get your child interested in reading. Even before he learns to decipher
alpha-numeric symbols you can read him nightly bedtime stories, and you should definitely start teaching
him letters and numbers before he enters school. A lifetime love affair with reading starts at home in early
childhood and as a parent you can definitely encourage this pastime. But how does this help your child to
develop good study habits?

First and foremost, reading is a gateway to every kind of learning, and kids that master it early will
open many doors. The formative years are the most [Read more…]

Filed Under: family, kids

5 Highly Anticipated Family Movies in 2012

March 16, 2012 by 7 Comments
Taking the entire family out to the movies is an excellent bonding activity. But you may be concerned when you encounter the flood of movies to choose from, especially as summer blockbuster season draws nearer. What movies can possibly appease every family member’s particular tastes? As you glance at your calendar for the upcoming months, keep in mind these suggestions for the top family friendly films you’ll want to see. And don’t forget the popcorn!
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.Having recently hit theaters,The Loraxis a proven smash. Dr. Seuss is famous for his fanciful tales for children, usually involving whimsy, bizarre characters, clever rhyme schemes, and a subtle lesson included for readers to ponder. Starring Danny DeVito as the Lorax, Seuss’ beloved children’s book has been adapted for the big screen with its message about the importance of preserving the environment intact. Even if they don’t pick up on the film’s eco friendly message, your kids will love the 3-D animation offered through 3-D equipped theaters and media services (it’s also available to watch in good old fashioned – and less expensive – 2-D).

Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.The third installment of the popularMadagascarseries follows the wacky adventures of Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller) and his pals Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer), Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), and Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock) as they try to make their way back home to New York. And don’t forget those crazy penguins!

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Filed Under: family, kids, movie

WIN TICKETS to “1-2-3 Imagine! with Elmo & Friends” Live Show

March 15, 2012 by 7 Comments

What kid doesn’t love Elmo? I know I grew on on Sesame Street, and though the 80’s toys and games have made a comeback- Sesame Street never really went away, did it? And thankfully so- it’s a great, educational, and wholesome show that you don’t have to be afraid to let your children watch. Another thing I love about Sesame Street? They kept it as it was. Sure, it is updated- but no one got super skinny, got giant heads or eyes, went “anime” in style, Maria and Gordon aged like normal people, and the characters all look as they should.


AND You and your child can see all your favorite friends Live in the latest stage performance- 1-2-3 Imagine 🙂
Where can your imagination take you? Anywhere you want to
be! Audiences in New Brunswick are invited to make a world of adventure come to life with
Elmo, Abby Cadabby and friends as the stage lights come up on Sesame Street Live “1-
2-3 Imagine! with Elmo & Friends”. This imagination-inspired musical will make a stop at
the State Theatre from Thursday, April 12, through Sunday, April 15. Tickets for all eight
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Filed Under: entertainment, family, kids, theater